Welcome to the audio side of our Pocket-lint perfect Christmas gift guide installments. If there is a music geek in the family or a loved one itching to be just that, then you're in the right place.

You've already done the shopping for the Apple fanboy/girl in your life, the photographer, laptop addicts, the console gamer, PC gamer and the AV lover as well. Now is the turn of the avid listener. Enjoy.

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Etymotics Custom Hf/Sony MDR-XB700

Good headphones are a must; beyond a must, they're integral to the music geek experience. You can get a decent set for under ?50 but for between ?10-40 more you can really get something special. A good on-ear solution are the Sony XB700 on-ear closed cup headphones. They don't give a particularly balanced sound - the XB stands for extra bass - but they're a high quality build and are really good noise cancellers. They're also rather swish. You can pick them up for a very reasonable ?70.

For the in-ear solution though, it has to be the Etymotics Custom Hf2. Now, the trouble is that the headphones themselves cost around ?90 and the custom made ear molds cost about the same again. So, either you need to be happy to fork out ?180 or your giftee needs to understand that they have to supply the extra cash. This may seem like a faff but these headphones, or more to the point, the tailor made molds are absolutely amazing.

The Hf2 is the one to go for if your loved one uses an iPhone otherwise it's the hf5. The other option is to find out what headphones yougiftee already uses and then contact ACS , who make the molds, to see if they can do a pair to fit those instead. It'll take some investigating but it's well worth the trouble.

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Creative Gigaworks T3 PC speakers

Described by Creative as a "high-end 2.1 speaker system" the T3's are an excellent desktop solution. The sub will need to sit under the table, most likely, but the pair of satellite speakers and a twisting volume knob will be at arms reach while you pump the tunes. All the cables you need are in the box and they're a great way of playing music from your computer without having to put it through an amp or send it round to other rooms in the house or however else your loved one might have their system set up.

The Creative Gigaworks T3 PC speakers are a smidge over our notional budget at ?134 but, no doubt about it, these things are worth the extra money. Make someone's day.

iTunes/Amazon gift card

Record tokens are 80s but the music credit system for today is the iTunes gift card. You can go to just about any music download provider you prefer to get these kinds of things but Apple has a good selection and your giftee can always just take the music to their own media player after they've bought what they wanted.

You might find that Amazon gives a better tunes per pound ratio but it's not worth sweating over. Just avoid Apple if your loved one happens to have it in for all things Jobs.

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Spotify/Last.fm premium subscriptions

If you want to be a little smarter and more 2009 about these things then the gift of a premium subscription is definitely the way to go. The Spotify premium costs ?9.99 per month but means the end of the irritating adverts, a few exclusive downloads, offline playlists, higher quality sound and, best of all, the use of Spotify apps on your mobile phone.

For Last.fm, it's much cheaper at just ?3/month and you get uninterrupted radio listening, ad-free browsing and streaming, recent visitors to your profile and prestigious black icon. All very nice.

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A to Z CD dividers/MP3 labelling software

Your music geek will of course have bookcases full of CDs somewhere about their living space. Although they might have been organised enough to have alphabetised or categorised it, chances are that they won't have gone to the lengths of getting a set of dividers for the purpose. Take them that extra distances with a pack of A to Z CD dividers lovingly scuzzed up to look like record shop authentics. They're made from black polypropylene, printed on both sides and come in packs of 30 for just ?14.95.

While you're at it, you may as well throw in some digital music organising software too. You can bet there'll be a mess of a catalogue of MP3 files stored away on some hard drive somewhere with labels awry. Both MP3 Tag and Music Brainz Picard are both excellent bits of free software that'll sort out the mess for you to make sure the entire collection looks the same and sits on order on your media player.

Recycled Vinyl

We could have written a 10 perfect recycled vinyl list all of its own but go to Etsy "record" and you'll find an Aladdin's Cave of gift ideas for the music music geek in your life. Some of the favourites in these massive lists include - coloured cuffs ($6), LP rings ($5), record cufflinks ($12), vinyl clutch hangbag ($20), Kenny Rogers Just Dropped In record bag ($45), dripping vinyl wall decal ($35) and Santana GrooveBowl ($25). For something really special and quite hard to get hold of, then the recycled cassete tape neck tie for $120 will require some nifty international shipping.

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Musical Ruler

Yes, you read right. The Musical Ruler. Naturally, there's a certain amount of novelty factor to this one but at ?6.95 it would make an excellent stocking filler. The idea is that you put this 30cm device flat down over the edge of a table and ping the overhanging end to make a note. The ruler has markings on it for the eight whole tones in a complete octave meaning that you can basically play any tune.

It comes with a step by step guide from ruler playing master Dan Wieden and includes tips on solos, Rock 'n Roll, Folk, Jazz and special effects. Possibly the silliest present you'll see all year but, when you grow tired of the fun, it'll still work as a gadget for measuring short distances and making pens and pencils run straight.

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Stylophone Beatbox

Following the relaunch of the retro Stylophone, the Beatbox edition produces several different percussion sounds, from bass drum all the way to hi-hat. With different sound "palettes" - percussion, actual beatboxing (provided by beatbox champion MC Zani) and bass tones - this gadget lets you create a percussion loop, which means you can form a beat over which to improvise with other voices.

There's also the option to connect up your MP3 player to the Beatbox via the headphone socket and tap along with your own records. IWOOT is offering the musical gadget now for ?19.99. Silly but fun and probably quite addictive.

Lecci Mini Mixer

Wannabe DJs take note - there's a nifty little gadget which could make it easier to play off a couple of iPods. The Lecci Mini Mixer is basically a two-channel mixer that allows you to crossfade between a couple of audio sources. Those sources could be iPods, CD players, laptops - anything that outputs to a 3.5mm jack.

There's gain controls on both, a great big crossfader, and cue buttons so that you can check what a track sounds like before switching to it. Output is to either an audio-out jack or there's an internal speaker if you're DJing to a very tiny party. The Lecci Mini Mixer is available now from the Gadget Shop and costs ?20.

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Rock Band/Guitar Hero/DJ Hero

This isn't going to work if they don't own a games console but if your music geeks doesn't already have one of these titles, then buy one for them - particularly if they have no actual music playing skills of their own.

These games are easy enough that you don't need any real talent to be able to play them but hard enough to feel like you do. What they offer most of all is the chance to rock out to whatever it is that you love. You actually get the chance to be Brian May/Jimi Hendrix/Ry Cooder if only in your front room. Find the version to suit your giftee best from Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero 3, 4 or 5, Band Hero, DJ Hero and all the band specific ones - The Beatles, Metallica, etc. Hours of fun.

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And finally...

You can of course buy your loved one a MP3-player/PMP as well. So, to choose the best when for your budget and your giftee's needs, then head over to our Top Products area where'll we'll help you find the one that fits. Good luck.

Related links:

• Feature - 101 life-saving Christmas shopping websites

Tags: Audio Features Christmas Sony Etymotic hf2 Custom fit Headphones Earphones Lecci Mini Mixer Stylophone Rock Band 2 Guitar Hero Spotify Lastfm

10 perfect Christmas presents for...music geeks originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:46:01 +0000

After chucking out a special edition Reader for fans of romance fiction, Sony has now announced it is to offer another limited edition model of the Reader Pocket Edition, this time for thriller fans.

The James Patterson model features the Alex Cross novel, "Cross Country", as well as "selected excerpts" from two James Patterson books and a letter from the author.

The Reader also comes with a download code for "Worst Case", a new James Patterson novel that will be available from Christmas Day from Sony - earlier than its hard-copy release.

In a "midnight blue" finish with a "premium" case with an embossed Alex Cross logo on the front, the James Patterson Pocket Edition Reader goes on sale from Waterstone's and Sony Centres, as well as online, from 30 November 2009.

Tags: Gadgets ebooks eBook readers Sony James Patterson

Sony offers James Patterson-themed Reader originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:47:08 +0000

Sony's latest generation of digital voice recorders is angled firmly at the consumer and student market with colourful finishes and MP3-playing abilities.

The slimline ICD-UX200, ICD-UX300 and ICD-UX300F are lightweight 3-in-1 devices that offer voice recording, file storage and music playback via the built-in speakers or the supplied in-ear headphones.

Voice recordings are captured in stereo as MP3 files with a background noise filter helping to keep them clear while 21-step digital playback speed control claims to help when listening back.

Compatible with PCs and Macs, and boasting drag-and-drop file support, the new devices get a slide-out USB connector, folder options and a LCD screen with easy-to-read 5-line display.

Battery life comes in at up to 15 hours in LP mode, while playback extends to 83 hours, presumably less if via the speakers.

The 2GB ICD-UX200 will be available in black, silver, pink and red finishes. The 4GB ICD-UX300 will see black or red finishes while the 4GB ICD-UX300F, complete with an FM tuner, will just be available in black.

The ICD-UX200, UX300 and UX300F digital voice recorders will be available from December 2009 - pricing to be confirmed.

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Tags: Gadgets Sony Hardware Storage Audio MP3 players Sony ICD-UX300 Voice recorders

Sony launches colourful 3-in-1 digital voice recorders originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:28:53 +0000

Sony's latest advert for the?PlayStation 3 Slim?will push its Blu-ray credentials in the US by telling consumers, possibly looking to buy the console, that really you're paying for the gaming bits and the Blu-ray player is free.

"You get the best Blu-ray player around built in for free", says the Sony man to some punk ass whiny teenager complaining that his grandma is watching Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

In December, consumers will have access to the first ever hybrid disc that will feature Sony Pictures' District 9 movie and a demo of God of War 3.

The ad airs in the US next week.?

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Tags: Gaming PS3 Adverts Sony PS3 slim Blu-ray Video

Sony: "PS3 Blu-ray built in for free" originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:12:59 +0000

Ebook fans hoping to get one for Christmas in the US are seeing their options dwindle by the day as Barnes & Noble announced that it has sold out of the?Nook, which hits shops at the end of the month.

"The hottest gift of the season may be sold out, but with our elegant nook holiday certificate you can still let loved ones know it’s coming", said the company to prospective customers looking to pre-order the dual screen ebook on their website.

The news comes as Sony announced earlier in the week that its 7-inch 3G sporting Sony eReader Daily Edition wouldn't ship until 18 December, or possibly after.

Barnes & Noble says customers ordering a Nook will receive their devices the week starting 4 Jan.

Amazon, having sorted out stock issues it experienced last year, is saying it has plenty of stock.

However with more ebook readers confirmed for January at CES 2010 and Qualcomm showing off a colour ereader, out sometime in 2010, it might be the reason you need to get them something else in the meantime.?

Tags: Gadgets ebooks eBook readers Barnes and Noble Nook Barnes and Noble Amazon Sony

Barnes & Noble Nook sold out originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:47:27 +0000

In Japan, Sony has outlined basic plans for a new online store that, if the plans pan out, will manage to rival iTunes, Amazon, YouTube and Flickr - at least for Sony customers.

Sony Online Service, as it's been dubbed at this early stage, will offer digital content including music, movies, and books as well as other downloadable applications for Sony's entire range of products and will be based on Sony's popular PlayStation Network offering for the gaming side of its business.

A movie into this kind of software - if done well - is seen as a clever way for Sony to improve its fortunes: "Sony has been too focused on hardware", Tokai Tokyo Research Center analyst Osamu Hirose told BusinessWeek.

"It has to focus on networked products [and] delivering digital entertainment to consumers".

Sony will try one interesting way to try and differentiate its service from iTunes, or other such offerings, by giving users the chance to also upload media, such as home made video, photos and "other digital content " to their personal online accounts.

We will keep you posted on this one.

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Tags: Software Sony iTunes Audio YouTube Home Cinema Gaming Playstation Network Sony Online Service

Sony Online Service iTunes rival announced originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:44:02 +0000

Sony?has put the?Sony Reader Daily Edition?up for pre-order in the US on its SonyStyle website, hoping to maximise on the current appetite for digital readers (ebooks) in the run up to Christmas.

Costing $399.99 and available on or around the 18 December, the Sony Reader Daily Edition, as it is known, will offer a 7-inch screen, come with 3G connectivity for downloading books and take the top of the pile mantle above the Pocket and Touch Editions from Sony.

However some are worried that the late December date means many could miss out on Christmas deliveries if the postal service doesn't deliver in time for the 25th.

"Leaving it to the 18th is cutting it terribly fine", one expert we talked to commented.

The ebook market, which has seen a price reduction from Amazon and the Barnes & Noble Nook launch imminent, is current booming as book sellers try to convince bookworms that they need to go digital.

However, with the promise of more ebook readers at?CES 2010?and Qualcomm this week showing a colour screen ebook reader, which is promised for next year, the consumer has plenty of choices ahead of them, something Sony hopes won't deter them from signing up to its Reader in the mean time.

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Tags: Gadgets ebooks eBook readers Sony Sony Reader Daily Edition

Sony Reader Daily Edition available for pre-order originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:36:18 +0000

Sony Ericsson has hinted that it could launch a "PS3" app similar to that found on the Sony Ericsson Aino handset launched earlier in the year for the Android OS, when the company's new?Xperia X10?handset launches in February.

"It makes a lot of sense for it to be on other handsets", said Christopher David, head of developer and partner engagement at Sony Ericsson, before backing up that statement with an "it should be expected".

It is not certain at this time whether an app, if developed, would be restricted to the X10 and Nexus UX platform or be available to all?Android?handsets, but could mean that phone users opting for devices sporting the Google Android OS could access their PlayStation 3 and stream content to their phone from around the world, in a similar way to the Sony Ericsson phone or the PSP console.

The phone, which packs the same DLNA and wireless connectivity as the Aino, before building on the specs with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and 4-inch screen, would be a perfect hardware device for such an app, something that David acknowledges.

"For it to work you would need wireless and DLNA connectivity," said David, after we tried to lure more than an "it's possible" answer from the man, when asked to engage in the new Sony Ericsson Nexus UX platform for the X10.

As for other apps to expect in the future? David was keeping quiet, however we did get a chuckle and acknowledgement of a "good question asked" as to whether Sony Ericsson's Play Now store, that allows users to download movies and music, would get an Android app of its own.

"You never know", was the official response with a wry smile.?

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Tags: Gaming Phones Mobile phones Mobile phone apps Sony Android PS3 Sony Ericsson Xperia X10

PS3 Remote Play for Android "makes sense" originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:23:13 +0000

The countdown to?CES 2010, the biggest electronics trade show on the planet, has begun, but what can we expect from the show, and what should we start to get excited about? Here are six areas that are going to dominate the news come January.

Don't forget, Pocket-lint will be bringing you all the news, reviews, comment, photos and video as it happens in the run up to CES and live from Las Vegas for the duration of the show.

You can bookmark our CES coverage at pocket-lint.com/CES2010

Digital Living

Technology has gone mainstream supposedly, so that means the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center will be filled with technology launches that embrace all of us rather than just a select few. In real terms that means everything from gadgets for kids, gadgets for mums and dads that look after kids, and gadgets for the silver surfer. Expect new toys for health, parenting and higher education.

Apple

Don't get too excited,?Apple isn't attending CES, regardless of how many rumours you hear, but that doesn't mean companies that work in the Apple eco-system aren't going to be in Vegas launching new gadgets. With a whole area dedicated to the iPod,?iPhone?and Macs, expect a fair share of iPod speakers, cables to connect to something else in your life and the usual array of cases to protect it all.

eBook readers

If you're planning on getting an ebook reader for Christmas you might want to think again. The ebook market has exploded in the US with Amazon,?Barnes & Noble?and?Sony?all fighting over each other to offer you the digital reader you supposedly need. Plastic Logic has already confirmed that it will be launching a new ebook at CES and there is bound to be other manufacturers like?Spring Design?and iRex offering new models.

3D

Riding on the wave of euphoria that Avatar will no doubt give the industry, consumer electronics manufacturers like?Sony, Toshiba, LG?and?Samsung?will be likely to be pushing?3D TV?hard at CES 2010. IFA 2009 already showed us the concepts, CES will show us the reality. Expect new televisions, announcements from the Blu-ray Disc Association, television makers, graphics card companies like Nvidia and movie companies all trying to get in on the action.

Netbooks

While most people have surely moved on from the popularity of netbooks, CES organisers CEA believe netbooks are going to still be big news at CES 2010. What that means is a barrage of computers that don't do much but let you surf the Web and write the odd document. Of course manufacturers will be trying to tell us otherwise with improved graphics courtesy of Nvidia and ATI. You should also probably expect a barrage of tablet devices with touchscreens allowing you to surf the Web around the home.

Green

With the economy making a comeback, manufacturers can once again turn their eyes to saving the planet. Although the idea of being green for green's sake is still very niche, generally manufacturers will be trying to tell you to ignore the thousands they are spending on lighting their booths and the sheer carbon emissions the show creates, by concentrating instead on how they've made advancements in the glass they use or the boxes your favourite gadgets go into. At least you can sleep at night knowing that we haven't had to chop down any trees to let you read this.

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Tags: Audio Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness CES2010 ebooks Televisions Netbooks Sony LG Samsung Toshiba Apple iPod iPhone 3DTV Laptops Eco Amazon Barnes and Noble Spring Design

CES 2010: What new gadgets will be announced? originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Sony has announced the launch of a new Microvault flash drive series that will be available in capacities ranging from 4GB "all the way" to 32GB.

The new Microvaults are said to be "extremely robust" with a retractable connector - so no more lost caps. Boasting full compatibility with Windows 7, the drives offer drag and drop operation.

The Microvault range is due to be available from major retailers in January 2010, no pricing revealed.

Tags: Hardware Storage Flash drives Sony

Sony announces new Microvault flash drives originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:12:51 +0000

Following the screenshots unveiled recently, Sony is now offering an early peek at PlayStation 3 v3.10 firmware update.

Keepin' up with the Jones, the update incorporates Facebook into the PS3 experience with the option for the PS3 to automatically update Facebook News Feeds with Trophy and PlayStation Store activity.

Other 3.10 highlights include the photo category on the XMB getting revamped, a modification to the PSN Friends List and the option to choose a colour for a PSN ID on the XMB.

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Tags: Gaming Sony PS3 Software updates Facebook Video

VIDEO: Sony unveils 3.10 PS3 update that brings Facebook originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:34:08 +0000

Sony is offering an exclusive limited edition model of the Reader Pocket Edition, created for fans of romance fiction.

The Mills & Boon Reader Pocket Edition comes pre-loaded with three eBooks - exclusive to the model - as well as a voucher for ten further Mills & Boon eBook downloads.

The "romantic rose pink finish" will get bosoms heaving while the premium case with the "iconic Mills & Boon rose logo" embossed on the cover will see hearts aflutter.

Each model comes pre-loaded with three Christmas-themed Mills & Boon titles – "Snowbound: Miracle Marriage", "Under The Boss's Mistletoe" and "Christmas Betrothals" - all of which are no doubt classics in the making.

The Mills & Boon Reader Pocket Edition will be available from Sony Centres and www.sony.co.uk from 23 November 2009.

Tags: Gadgets ebooks eBook readers Sony Mills and Boon

Sony offers Mills and Boon-themed Reader originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:31:33 +0000

Here are the nominations for Best Gadgets in The Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009.

The following products were chosen because we feel they represent the best gadgets on sale in the last 12 months that are available in the UK.

The nominations are:

Dyson Air Multiplier

Eye-Fi

Livescribe pen

Logitech Wireless Guitar

Sony e-reader Pocket Edition

A notable commendation should also go to the Messless charging station.

Now in its 6th year, the Pocket-lint Gadget Awards, thought to be the longest running in the UK, pick the best gadgets and gizmos from the last year released in the UK.

Pocket-lint's vigorous vetting process means that all the gadgets up for nomination have to have been seen by a member of the Pocket-lint team (so far over 600) and have to have been available in the UK between December 2008 and December 2009.

The awards, voted by a panel of leading gadget journalists from around the world, including the staff from the Pocket-lint team, will decide the real must-have gadgets of the year, rather than those simply deemed cool or anticipated, being the definitive guide for consumers looking to buy gadgets.

Winners will be announced at an Awards evening in London on Monday 7 December.

If you would like to order tickets to the event please visit our awards event page.

Public voting will start on Wednesday 18 November.

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Related links:

• Link - Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Tags: Gadgets Dyson Cameras Livescribe Eye-Fi Logitech Gaming ebooks Sony Pocket-lint Awards Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Best Gadgets 2009 nominations originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Here are the nominations for Best Home Cinema Device in The Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009.

The following products were chosen because we feel they represent the best home cinema devices on sale in the last 12 months that are available in the UK.

The nominations are:

Philips 56PFL9954H Cinema 21:9 television

Panasonic DMR-BS850 Freesat Blu-ray recorder

LG 37LH7000 television

Sony PlayStation 3 Slim console

Humax Freesat+ FOXSAT-HDR recorder

Now in its 6th year, the Pocket-lint Gadget Awards, thought to be the longest running in the UK, pick the best gadgets and gizmos from the last year released in the UK.

Pocket-lint's vigorous vetting process means that all the gadgets up for nomination have to have been seen by a member of the Pocket-lint team (so far over 600) and have to have been available in the UK between December 2008 and December 2009.?

The awards, voted by a panel of leading gadget journalists from around the world, including the staff from the Pocket-lint team, will decide the real must-have gadgets of the year, rather than those simply deemed cool or anticipated, being the definitive guide for consumers looking to buy gadgets.

Winners will be announced at an Awards evening in London on Monday 7 December.

If you would like to order tickets to the event please visit our awards event page.

Public voting will start on Wednesday 18 November.

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Related links:

• Link - vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Tags: Home Cinema Televisions Blu-ray PVRs Humax Sony Philips Panasonic LG PS3 PS3 slim Pocket-lint Awards Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Best Home Cinema Devices 2009 nominations originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Here are the nominations for Best Video Game in The Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009.

The following products were chosen because we feel they represent the best video games on sale in the last 12 months that are available in the UK.

The nominations are:

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Guitar Hero 5

Battlefield 1943

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Now in its 6th year, the Pocket-lint Gadget Awards, thought to be the longest running in the UK, pick the best gadgets and gizmos from the last year released in the UK

Pocket-lint's vigorous vetting process means that all the gadgets up for nomination have to have been seen by a member of the Pocket-lint team (so far over 600) and have to have been available in the UK between December 2008 and December 2009.

The awards, voted by a panel of leading gadget journalists from around the world, including the staff from the Pocket-lint team, will decide the real must-have gadgets of the year, rather than those simply deemed cool or anticipated, being the definitive guide for consumers looking to buy gadgets.

Winners will be announced at an Awards evening in London on Monday 7 December.

If you would like to order tickets to the event please visit our awards event page.

Public voting will start on Wednesday 18 November.

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Related links:

• Link - Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Tags: Gaming Xbox 360 PS3 Nintendo Wii PC games Sony Activision Warner Bros EA Pocket-lint Awards Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Best Video Games 2009 nominations originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:22:07 +0000

The news that Sainsbury's is cutting the price of the 120GB PS3 Slim by 20% - now available for ?200 - is admittedly pretty widespread, but the fact that it's a pretty decent offer, and just in case you weren't aware, meant that it deserved a slot.

A quick look, however, on the Sainsbury's website will show that Sony's sought after console is now out of stock. Your best bet, therefore, is to click on the "email me when in stock" button, so you can be right there to order when it comes back in.

If you simply can't wait, we had a look around and the next best deal seems to be from Tesco -? selling its 120GB PS3 Slim with Fifa 10 for ?249. Obviously only suitable if you were going down the Fifa route anyway, the deal means you'll be around a tenner down on the Sainsbury's offer - with Fifa being sold separately for ?40.

Click here for the Sainsbury's deal if you're of a patient disposition and don't mind waiting, alternatively there's a link here to the Tesco deal. Before you make a your decision, however, you might want to click through to our full review of the PS3 Slim, which received a whopping 9/10 score.

Tags: Gaming Gaming hardware Sony PS3 PS3 slim Sony PS3 Slim Sainsburys Tesco direct Daily Tech Deal

Daily Tech Deal: 20% off Sony PS3 Slim at Sainsbury's originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Here are the nominations for Best Laptop or Netbook in The Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009.

The following products were chosen because we feel they represent the best laptop and netbooks on sale in the last 12 months that are available in the UK.

The nominations are:

Apple MacBook Pro

Sony VAIO VGN-Z21ZN/X

Dell Adamo XPS

HP Envy

Toshiba NB200

Now in its 6th year, the Pocket-lint Gadget Awards, thought to be the longest running in the UK, pick the best gadgets and gizmos from the last year released in the UK.

Pocket-lint's vigorous vetting process means that all the gadgets up for nomination have to have been seen by a member of the Pocket-lint team (so far over 600) and have to have been available in the UK between December 2008 and December 2009.

The awards, voted by a panel of leading gadget journalists from around the world, including the staff from the Pocket-lint team, will decide the real must-have gadgets of the year, rather than those simply deemed cool or anticipated, being the definitive guide for consumers looking to buy gadgets.

Winners will be announced at an Awards evening in London on Monday 7 December.

If you would like to order tickets to the event please visit our awards event page.

Public voting will start on Wednesday 18 November.

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Related links:

• link - Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Tags: Hardware Laptops Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 Pocket-lint Awards Apple Sony Dell HP Toshiba

Best Laptops 2009 nominations originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:59:54 +0000

In 3 year's time the 3DTV market will see shipments of up to 46 million 3D-capable flatscreen televisions, suggests market research from US-based GigaOM Pro, stating that despite the market being in its infancy today, by 2013 the technology will be widespread in consumer's homes.

"While the initial shipments of flat-panel 3DTVs will be small in 2010 due to premium pricing strategies by the large TV manufacturers, volumes are likely to grow quickly in just a few short years as manufacturers begin to implement 3D as a standard feature across their HD flat-panel product lines", said Alfred Poor, author of the report.

The report suggests content owners and broadcasters will soon "convert large portions of their back-catalogues of content to 3D", in order to satisfy consumers hungry for three dimensional content.

"Just as many consumers are voting with their wallets today for the 3D version of their favourite movies in the theatre, we expect over time that many will choose 3D for their favourite shows and movies at home as well", said Poor.

Interestingly, Sony is highlighted as a company working hard to push 3D. "The company will provide a complete user experience with full HD Bravia in 3D taking center stage. In addition to television, Sony will enable more devices, such as Blu-ray, Vaio and PlayStation 3, to be 3D compatible", says the GigaOM Pro report.

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Tags: Home Cinema 3DTV Statistics Sony 3D PS3 Televisions

3DTV shipments to reach 46 million in 3 years originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:59:10 +0000

Some images have emerged of a forthcoming firmware update for the PS3 that introduces Facebook functionality to the games console. The integration with the world's biggest social networking site is already available on the rival Xbox 360, but not on the Nintendo Wii.

Also in the images is the option to change the colour of your gamercard, as well as a new interface for looking through photos that are stored on the console. Not quite as exciting as the Facebook integration, but may be of some interest to those who just aren't satisfied with the default gamercard colours.

It's not clear exactly when the next firmware update will be issued - right now these are just screenshots found on Sony's PlayStation website. What's clear, though, is that Sony needs integration with web services - and soon - to compete with the Xbox, which is rolling out similar features at an ever-increasing rate.

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Tags: Gaming Sony PS3 PlayStation Facebook Rumours Software updates

PS3 update bringing Facebook integration originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:25:51 +0000

"The new Sony PlayStation 3 Slim is about to receive a luxury treatment unlike any others before it". So says Computer Choppers, a US company that offers a line in blinged up consumer electronics.

A "sneak peak" of the Midas-touched console shows that the firm, instead of rather just say subtlety picking out the logo in gold, has opted for the all-out gold-plating.

Only five limited edition units are to be produced and pricing and availability is strictly on a get-your-butler-to-call-and-enquire basis.

Tags: Gaming PS3 Sony Computer Choppers

PlayStation 3 gets gold plated originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:31:20 +0000

Sony's?BDP-S560 and BDP-S760, which we saw at IFA 2009, and BDP-S360, which we've reviewed, are available now. The Blu-ray players will be showcased on the weekend of 7/8 November in "Manpods" just off Carnaby St in London, where shoppers can take a short break.

The DP-S560 and BDP-S760 have 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity, and are also WPS-enabled for ease of connection. Firmware updates and BD-Live capabilities can then be accessed without having to deal with cables. More importantly, though, they're both DLNA certified, so you can stream content from your home network.

The BDP-S760 is the flagship model and contains an "HD Reality Enhancer". That should smooth image tones and reduce noise, creating a punchier, brighter picture. The BDP-S760 also includes multi-channel headphone surround for generating a 7.1 experience on stereo earphones.

Those two, along with the more budget-oriented BDP-S360, are available now. The BDP-S360 costs ?180, the BDP-S560 is ?300 and the BDP-S760 is ?400.

Tags: Home Cinema Blu-ray Sony Sony BDP-S560 Sony BDP-S760 Sony BDP-S360

Sony's BDP-S560 and BDP-S760 now available originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:54:03 +0000

The date for the launch of the PSP version of LittleBigPlanet has finally been confirmed for the UK.

Sony has told gaming site CVG that the new title will be out in the UK on 20 November, a few days behind the US release on 17 November.

LBP PSP is a whole new adventure with new levels for Sackboy fans - hit play now on the video to see a teaser video of the game.

Tags: Gaming PSP Sony LittleBigPlanet Video

VIDEO: LittleBigPlanet PSP UK launch confirmed for 20 November originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:43:06 +0000

At the Vision 2009 conference, in Stuttgart, Sony has shown off a multitouch surface display called the Atractable that's rather like the Microsoft Surface controller,which offers coffee table computing.

The system has been developed between Sony ISS and Atracsys, a Swiss optical tracking company. The interface can analyse body movements and act on any gesture or change in position, including your body, arm, hand or finger. More intriguingly, Sony reckons that it's sensitive enough to work out a user's age, sex and "emotion" - recognising?happiness, anger, surprise, sadness and neutrality.

The device comprises two Sony ISS XCD-V60 cameras that build a 3D image. Those cameras can then be used to control a cursor, avatar or robot. Atracsys' CEO, Gaetan Marti, says that the unit "can be used in virtually any scenario, be it gaming, industrial, medical or retail".

Sony ISS' marketing manager, Arnaud Destruels, told Pocket-lint: "Such interfaces were conceived many decades ago, with science fiction films using them to convey a futuristic feeling. The large time gap between conception and implementation highlights just how complex the task has been as well as the coding expertise at Atracsys".

And if the video above isn't enough for you, then there's another one, too. When we hear more about the Atractable's retail availability, we'll let you know.

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Tags: Hardware Sony Microsoft Surface Video Atracsys

VIDEO: Sony demonstrates Atractable surface controller originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:58:09 +0000

Sony Creative Software has announced the launch of "1000 Ringtones", a DVD containing ringtones designed for the Apple iPhone.

As well as music, the ringtones include sound effects and spoken words and users can select tones for incoming calls, emails and text messages.

In a move that will see iPhone owners bypassing Apple iTunes Store's charges for ringtones, the files are in MP3 and M4R format and can be used straight away by syncing the selected files with iTunes.

The DVD includes a tutorial video that demonstrates how to get the tones loaded on the iPhone in "simple steps".

"iPhone devices are one of the most popular cell phones on the market. We invite users to add a personal touch to their device with 1000 Ringtones", said Dave Chaimson, Sony Creative Software vice president of global marketing.

"1000 Ringtones" is now available for $19.95 in the States and for ?12.95 here in the UK.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phone apps Sony Music software Ringtones Audio Sony Creative Software iPhone Apple iTunes

Sony offers 1000 Ringtones for the iPhone originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:19:24 +0000

In the States Sony has announced new "entertainment offerings" for the PlayStation Network from Lucasfilm, Cinetic FilmBuff, ContentFilm International, Image Entertainment, MPI Media Group and New Video.

The content, available now in the US for purchase or rent, includes Star Wars: The Clone Wars, TV series Leverage, feature films Powder Blue and Management, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and online mini-series Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog from New Video.

Additional content from these providers will be added over time joining the 10,000 hours of downloadable entertainment content that's currently pegged at over 2300 full-length movies for American consumers.

Tags: Gaming Playstation Network PS3 Sony Video on demand Home Cinema

PlayStation Network gets more video in the States originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:32:31 +0000

Takuya Kawagoi has been a Sony man for nearly 20 years now. Having spent plenty of time based in Japan as one of the graphic designers at the heart of the company image, he has now been appointed head of Sony Design Centre Europe. We stopped in for a chat to see how life in London was treating him.

What is your background?
I joined Sony in 1991 as a graphic designer - that was what I studied as - and I was mostly involved with branding and logos. While I was at the Design Centre in Tokyo I created the Sony Ericsson logo. The idea is that it is in two parts, the silver and the green. It's supposed to be more friendly, more emotional, the green is the organic partner, the end user and the silver represents Sony such that we're balanced between content and life.

Before Sony I was at university. I went straight from there. I'd studied graphic design in Kyoto at KIT, the Kyoto Institute of Technology, where they have a special department for graphic design. Kyoto is a very traditional city in Japan and it was very good for me as a designer to get this mix of the modern style of the school and the traditional influence of the city at the same time.

Who are you biggest design influences?
Well, as a graphic designer, it would be Ikko Tanaka who is a famous Japanese graphic designer. He used very vivid, very bright colours together but in very simple designs. He reminds me that simplicity is the most important part of any design and it's not an easy thing to achieve. With so many functions in our products these days I have to avoid too many things and too much confusion on a screen or UI, for example, at any one time and it's important to remember this. Mr Tanaka and I also happen to come from the same town, Narra, so that's another reason I look to him.

And what about technology design, which products do you respect the most?
This may sound boring to you but I love cars - particularly British cars. Here cars are a real lifestyle for people. There is the space for larger lower cars like Jaguars and for people to really live them and have them as part of their lives, even when not driving them. I bought myself a Jaguar in Japan when I started at Sony in 1991. It was a beautiful car.

So, what exactly is the Sony Design Centre all about?
Sony Design has been there for nearly 50 years - since 1961 - when the first Design Centre opened in Japan. At the time, the company noticed that foreign products, particularly ones in Germany, for example, had a style that we wanted to bring to Sony. The classic sliver and black looks from Germany gave the products a more premium feel and so the Design Centre looked at aspects such as these to see how we could improve.

Sony design works with the four principles of originality, lifestyle, function and utility and we make sure our products represent each of these. There are now Sony Design Centres in London for the EU, in Singapore for Asia and in Los Angeles for North America as well. The idea is for them to both inform Japan of the global trends and styles in these areas, as well as create products on their own for the world market and to make sure that the products coming from headquarters will work in their parts of the globe too. In the EU team we have 16 designers representing 7 different nationalities, which is very good for our design influences. Maybe not so good when the World Cup comes round next year. Maybe there'll be a little tension in the office.

What is your role as Head of Sony Design Centre Europe?
Something that I'm looking into at the moment is really the life of the product all the way down the line - from manufacture to the customer purchase and even beyond to installation and customer care. Total experience, we should be more friendly and we need to collaborate more. Smarter styles. The customer journey is very long and we would like to be with them as far as we can. Retail experience is one area of this that we've been looking at and bringing a more obvious branding to the shops, educating the sales staff and providing digital signage in some of our flagship stores, hopefully by the beginning of next year too. Customers will be able to use touchscreen displays to find out all the information they need about different products.

User interfaces are also something we've been looking closely at too. Recently, of course, we've seen the XMB (cross media bar) used in all consumer arms of Sony - Sony Ericsson, PlayStation and Home - and we've recognised how significant the UI is. It's a very strong part for us, as functions become more and more complex. It's very important.

You said before about making packaging more environmentally friendly. How do you plan to do that?
It's not an easy thing to achieve with so many products and different packing needs, but we're already trying different techniques on some product lines. Bravia TVs are coming with no paper manuals at the moment with all the information in on-screen menus. There are also one box solutions for them with the TV stand packed into the same space and we're also testing out pulp moulds for packing, which are 100% recyclable. It's all in the early stages but obviously it will be good if we can bring it into products like headphones which have all plastic packaging, but it's harder to see how that will work with the current designs.

How do European design tastes differ from those in the rest of the world?
Hmmm, that's a difficult question to answer but a good example would be the Bravia picture frame TV. It's specifically a very strong European design where people do not always wish their technology to be the focus of their space. In fact this is another area where we'll be looking to work with living room related products. Home entertainment is very important to the EU team. We have a very strong will to newly define the living room. TV used to be a static focus but now they are internet connected so that we can change the style of family life and the attitude towards them as well. I would say it's a global idea, and communication would be the most significant barrier. The XMB is a good step towards this. In the future, hopefully, the arms of Sony will become more borderless. Bravia must be friendly with PlayStation and we should navigate and appear to the consumer in the same tone and manner.

Does that mean we'll see the three consumer arms of the business merging? Are we going to get Sony Ericsson phones with Bravia screens?
There already is a Bravia phone available in Japan but there no plans to merge the parts of the business at all. We just hope to homogenise some of the ideas.

Why is it that we don't get all those incredible gadgets we see in Japan?
Well, we cannot experiment with all of the products all over the world at the same time. Sometimes we feel that certain products will work best in certain regions and we try them there first.

So, does that mean you're here to fight for Europe to get them?
This will be the biggest job for me.

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Related links:

• News - Sony launches Bravia E4000 series LCD televisions

Tags: Home Cinema Sony Bravia Features Interviews Televisions LCD televisions

Sony design and the shape of things to come originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:46:09 +0000

It's being rumoured that Sony will be announcing a PSP-4000 in 2010. Edge is reporting that the Tokyo Game Show this year was full of whispers that the PSP Go hasn't been selling at all well, and that Sony has decided to reverse the decisions made and return to the UMD format.

The PSP Go launched with a rather large price tag, and a limited catalogue of games, as well as a poor upgrade experience. Sales rocketed 300% in the first few days that the PSP Go was on sale, but appear to have fallen off just as quickly. As a result, is Sony stepping back from its digital-only strategy?

We won't know for sure until the company makes an announcement one way or another, and Sony Computer Entertainment UK refused to comment on this story. Until then, we'd be interesting in hearing your thoughts - do you have a PSP Go? Do you miss the UMD? Or have you refused to get one thanks to your catalogue of UMD games and movies?

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Tags: Gaming PSP Sony PSP-4000 Rumours

PSP-4000 rumours return originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:48:57 +0000

Sony has issued a product safety recall for Sony VGP-AC19V17 AC adapters for certain Vaio desktops and docking stations.

In conjunction with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, the voluntary recall concerns adapters supplied with the VGC-LT series and VGC-JS2 series all-in-one Vaio desktop PCs and the? VGP-PRBX1 and VGP-PRFE1 Vaio docking stations.

"Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately", says the recall notice, that's thought to cover about 69,000 units.

The issue with the adapters is that the "insulation inside the AC adapter can fail over time, posing an electrical shock hazard to consumers" and there's been four reports of adapters short circuiting.

For more information, customers in the States can contact Sony toll-free at (877) 361-4481 anytime, or visit esupport.sony.com/ac19adapter.

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Tags: Hardware Sony Recalls Chargers Vaio

Sony recalls 69,000 Vaio AC adapters in the US originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:19:03 +0000

Sony has recently announced a new digital photo frame?with a built-in printer, but what does it actually look like in the flesh? Pocket-lint was on hand to snap a photo gallery when it made a quick pit-stop in New York.

The new?Sony digital S-Frame DPP-F700?is an all-in-one device that gets a 7-inch display with an 800 x 480 resolution and can print 4 x 6-inch, 300 x 300 dpi photos in 45 seconds.

The idea is that you'll be able to print out a photo when you get the usual comment of "Oh I love this one, can I have a copy?"

You'll be able to edit the images in frame, meaning you won't have to worry about a PC, however the large form factor and ugly-looking paper tray means this is unlikely to find space on your mantle piece.

The DPP-F700 digital photo frame-printer will be available in the States for about $200 in January.

Tags: Cameras Sony Digital photo frames Printers Photo printers Sony S-Frame DPP-F700

PHOTOS: Sony S-Frame DPP-F700 originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:07:28 +0000

While we're waiting to hear more on Netflix's outside the US streaming plans, in the States the movie rental company has announced its content will soon be available to PS3 owners.

Sony and Netflix have announced a team up that will see thousands of movies and TV episodes from Netflix available to be streamed instantly to TVs via the PS3. For those not yet Netflix members, the service starts from $8.99 a month and offers "unlimited" movies and TV episodes.

Netflix says it expects to begin streaming via the PlayStation Network next month at no additional cost to Netflix-ers who have a PS3, but users will need to stick a special Blu-ray disc in their consoles to get the service to work.

The free instant streaming disc uses Blu-ray's BD-Live tech to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, something Xbox 360 Netflix users don't need, but without the Gold membership cost Microsoft demands.

Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now reserve a free disc for PS3 systems by going to www.netflix.com/ps3.

Tags: Home Cinema Media streaming Video on demand PS3 Sony Netflix Gaming

Netflix streaming announced for PlayStation 3 originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:19:50 +0000

The launch of Microsoft Windows 7 sees the first raft of touchscreen PCs come to market and the place they're coming fastest of all is in the all-in-one desktop space. It's easy to spend a lot on what are sometimes items of design and luxury rather than machines of multi-touch multimedia, so to help sort the sheep from the goats, here's five Windows 7-toting winners to look out for.

HP Touch Smart

Price

?900

Screen size

20"

CPU

AMD processor

RAM

4GB

Graphics

ATI Radeon

Storage

500GB

HP has announced two new models of its HP TouchSmart all-in-one PC but while the higher end 600 comes with a 23-inch screen, it's the more modest 300 unit where you'll find the value. Both variants run version 3.0 of HP's TouchSmart software. Its highlights include the TouchSmart Canvas, which will let you organise and edit photos by touch, and TouchSmart Live TV which gives you the sort of functions you'd expect from a PVR, with the ability to pause live TV and record from the EPG. There's no Blu-ray drive with the 300 but there's still Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a wireless keyboard and mouse. Naturally, it's HDMI port happy for all the Xboxes, PS3s and whatever other kinds of AV devices you want to add in. At ?900 it's well within the range of a normal person having a bit of a splurge.

Asus Eee Top ET2203

Price

?820

Screen size

21.6"

CPU

2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

RAM

4GB

Graphics

ATI Radeon 4570

Storage

500GB

The ET2203 is not the first time Asus has gone touchscreen with plenty of experience already in the stylish Eee Top range. This time, the company has launched a unit to go with Windows 7 and while cheaper than the HP model, it still manages to have a bigger screen and BD player to boot. It has HDMI-in ports, b/g/n wireless and an SRS sound card with two 3W speakers. There's also a webcam and wireless keyboard and mouse. What's missing here is the TV tuner functionality which might well be central to the positioning of machines like this but, if that's not a function you're after, then the Asus is a very good choice.

Dell Studio One 19

Price

?799

Screen size

19"

CPU

2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

RAM

3GB

Graphics

NVIDIA GeForce 9400

Storage

500GB

Aimed at the family's living room, or even kitchen, the Studio One 19 is made of aluminium, glass and fabric and comes in white, blue and grey. It's the cheapest of the lot, but only just, and it's actually been on the scene for a little while now. It does well in the graphics department and has a pacey CPU but there's no optional extras at that price in the shape of a Blu-ray drive and webcam. It also has the smallest screen and someone seems to have run off with a gig of memory too. It's hard to see why someone would opt for it ahead of either the HP or the Asus but expect to see a more competitive price to make you think a little longer in the weeks to come.

Sony Touch Vaio L Series PC/TV

?

Price

?1,399

Screen size

24-inch

CPU

2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Quad

RAM

4GB

Graphics

GeForce G210M 512MB

Storage

1TB

So, that's the affordable ones out of the way. If you really want to treat yourself, then the recently announced 24-inch Sony Vaio L all-in-one would certainly be a most enjoyable way to go. It has a Full HD, WUXGA 1920 x 1080 widescreen panel with a built-in TV tuner a huge bank of storage and, of course, Sony's Blu-ray support as well. The quad core processor is a very welcome step up in performance and power and, being a Vaio, it also looks damn good too. It comes with Sony's media gallery software and despite all the luxury features, is still relatively good value.

Medion Touch

Price

?2,000

Screen size

24"

CPU

Intel CoreTM2 Quad Q9000

RAM

4GB

Graphics

NVIDIA GeForce GT240M graphics card

Storage

1TB

Surprisingly, it's Medion that has taken a slight leave of its senses by coming up with the most expensive of these Windows 7 all-in-ones. The 24-inch Touch X9613 is designed as a wall mounted unit to be used as an always connected secondary screen for the family home. On the surface it has a similar spec to the Vaio but it's packed with features including twin DVB-T/DVB-S tuners, a full Dolby Surround sound bar and HDMI-in and outputs. It's a technological statement from the company normally associated with budget PCs but it'd certainly be a fun statement to be a part of. It? features voice control, has a wireless mouse and keyboard and an RF remote. It also happens to look pretty swish too.

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Related links:

• News - HP TouchSmart PC
• PHOTOS - Getting the touch on the Medion X9613 all-in-one
• News - Dell Studio One 19 launches in UK
• News - PHOTOS: Asus Eee Top ET2203

Tags: Hardware All-in-one PCs HP HP TouchSmart PC Sony Vaio Windows 7 Dell Studio One 19 Dell Sony Asus Asus Eee Top ET2203 Medion Medion Touch X9613 Features

Five touchscreen Windows 7 PCs to look out for originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:40:18 +0100

Sony has announced the launch of a new multi-tasking digital photo frame - the S-Frame DPP-F700 - that offers a built-in photo printer.

The all-in-one device gets a 7-inch display with an 800 x 480 resolution and can print 4 x 6-inch, 300 x 300 dpi photos in 45 seconds.

The frame allows the user to edit images before printing with options including enlarge, reduce, crop, date stamp on/off, border/borderless as well as brightness, contrast, hue, and sharpness adjustment.

Images can be transferred onto the frame via USB from a PC, with support for Sony's memory card formats as well as SD, MMC, Compact Flash and xD.

Complete with remote control, the DPP-F700 digital photo frame-printer will be available in the States for about $200 in January.

Related links:

• PHOTOS - Hands on photo gallery

Tags: Cameras Sony Digital photo frames Printers Photo printers Sony S-Frame DPP-F700

Sony digital S-Frame DPP-F700 offers built-in photo printer originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:29:18 +0100

Sony has confirmed that it will be bringing the 250GB PS3 slim, already confirmed and available in Europe, to the US in November.

"Today, we announced the availability of a new PS3 system with a 250GB hard drive hitting store shelves on November 3". Sony wrote on its company blog. "The PS3 250GB system has the same slim look, feel and features as the 120GB system, but with a 250GB built-in hard drive for $349.99. With the new, larger capacity, you’ll have even more room to store your favourite games, movies/TV shows, music, photos and PlayStation Network downloads".

The US arm has also stated that "more than 600 million pieces of content have been downloaded from PlayStation Network" to date.

In the UK the 250GB bundle costs ?339 from Amazon and includes two games, there will be a range of different bundles on offer in the hope of enticing gamers to sign up with Sony rather than Microsoft's Xbox 360.

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Tags: Gaming PS3 PS3 slim Sony

250GB PS3 Slim heading to USA originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:50:58 +0100

Sony has often pushed the boat out for its advertising campaigns and its new Soundville short film is no exception.

Directed by Juan Cabral, the chap behind the colourful Bravia "Balls" ad, this documents 3 days in the life of the Icelandic town of Seydisfjordur, after it's been transformed into a giant soundspeaker system.

The footage is of ordinary Seydisfjordur villagers, around 400 of which live in the village during winter when this was shot.

Some of the music has been composed especially for the project, while Cabral says the best bit was that, "every morning I had to choose a track to wake people up... not just people but a whole village".

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Related links:

• VIDEO - Sony's strange PS3 Slim adverts
• Via - urlesque

Tags: Audio Sony Speakers Advertising Video Soundville

VIDEO: Sony loudspeakers entire Icelandic town for Soundville spot originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:36:35 +0100

Sony today launched the colourful line-up of CW laptops to replace the CS line and we were on hand to grab some shots.

Available in blue, red, pink and white (with a hot black Blu-ray model in the UK too), the CW series is designed to fuse portability and power, with a touch of colourful class.

The keyboard response was great from our brief play, with individual keys poking through the pink chassis.

The Vaio button under the screen will launch the Splashtop Linux OS, allowing you almost instant access to the Internet and saving you from having to start-up Windows 7 proper.

A Display Off button does exactly what you expect it to, letting you kill the screen when you don't need it, perhaps during lectures or whilst just listening to music.?

With a 14-inch 1366 x 768 display, these aren't the slimmest notebooks around, but you do get an optical drive and all the connectivity you'd expect – including the HDMI.

The Sony Vaio CW line will be hitting stores from 22 October, prices yet to be confirmed.

Related links:

• News - Sony Vaio CW Series due 22 October

Tags: Hardware Laptops Sony Sony Vaio CW Vaio Photos

PHOTOS: Sony Vaio CW originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:27:18 +0100

Sales of the PSP in the United States have rocketed 300% in the 3 days that followed the launch of the PSP Go - the smaller, lighter, more download-y, little brother of the original PSP-3000. Game downloads also climbed 200% in the same time period.

Sony's corporate communications director Patrick Seybold told Gamasutra: "The launch of PSPgo has generated strong consumer interest in the overall PSP platform and the PlayStation Network's digital content offering".

"With several blockbuster games launching digitally and on UMD in the coming weeks - from LittleBigPlanet to Assassin's Creed Bloodlines - we expect this momentum to continue and look forward to a strong holiday season for both the PSPgo and PSP-3000", he added.

Over on this side of the Atlantic, a price war erupted for the new console, with the cost dropping ?25 almost immediately. The console is available now for around ?200, depending on where you pick it up from.

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Tags: Gaming Sony PSP PSP Go Statistics

PSP sales rise 300% originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:36:54 +0100

When we clapped eyes on this Hannah Montana special edition of the Sony Walkman E-series Walkman, we knew it was something we had to get our grubby hands on.

Sony has partnered with Disney to bring out this limited edition Hannah Montana MP3 player in an unmistakable bright pink colour, with its laser engraved Hannah Montana signature and motif.

It comes in a presentation case that doubles as a jewellery box, with a mirror inside the lid. There are three drawers for all your stuff, with the Hannah Montana Walkman sitting in one, and the funky padded case residing in the other.

The E-series Walkman features a 2-inch QVGA colour screen, FM radio and comes in a 4GB capacity and will give you about 30 hours of music playback.

Available exclusively from Argos, Sony.co.uk and Sony Centres, it will be on sale from 15 October, and will set you back ?99.99.

Related links:

• Buy it! - Argos.co.uk

Tags: Audio Sony Walkman Hannah Montana MP3 players Photos

PHOTOS: Hannah Montana E-series Sony Walkman originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:22:47 +0100

So, Sony is the latest to be breaking records today with the official launch of what the company considers is the world's lightest notebook. Naturally, that all rather depends on whatever woolly boundaries there are between net and notebooks but the fact remains that an 11.1-inch screen, 0.72kg and 13.9mm is pretty damn ultra portable. Naturally, not everyone's going fancy the Vaio side of the equation, so here are five other options for computing on the go.

MacBook Air (19.4mm, 1.36kg, ?1349)

Yes, it's an obvious one so let's get it out of the way now. The Air was one of the first laptops to tell optical media that it just didn't care any more and whatever you say about the machine and the annoying envelope ads, it does have a lovely form factor. Unlike the Vaio X, it comes with a proper processor - an Intel Duo Core 2 - at either 1.86 or 2.1GHz, integrated 256MB Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics, 2GB of DDR3 and a 120GB SDD if you want to go for the top end model. The full dimensions are 227 ? 325  ? 19.4mm and even though it's still a squeeze of a little backpack, you do get the benefit of an LED backlit screen with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution.

Dell Adamo (16.5mm, 1.81kg, ?1899)

Until the Adamo came on the scene, it was Apple who held the crown for the thinnest. The luxury branded Dell has now set the bar at 16.5mm thick. Again, there's an Intel Core 2 Duo at the heart with a 1.6GHz clock speed and up to 4GB RAM to back it up. Keeping toe-to-toe with the Air, it has a 256GB SSD and a larger 13.4-inch LED backlit screen with 1366 x 768 resolution. Dell has obviously had complaints about the Adamo just not being thin enough, damn it, so, the company has being showing off the next generation in the saga. It's the truly size zero, 9.9mm Dell Adamo XPS. There's very little else known about it either because the Texas company can't work out how to fit anything inside it yet or because there's a long campaign of photos with it next to pencils planned. Again.

MSI X340 (19.8mm, 1.3kg, ?720)

For those who aren't made of cash, one good option of a similar size is the MSI X340 - the current best combination of power and size that the company does. It houses a 1.4GHz Intel CULV processor, just the 2GB RAM and rather than an SSD, gives you 320GB of the old spinning disk kind of storage. It's no frills on the screen with a straight forward 13.4-inch LCD but the real weakness is probably the battery pack, which only offers 2-3 hours away from the wall. There's always the option of an 8-cell battery that's obviously going to add to its vital statistics.

Asus UX30 (19.6mm, 1.45kg, ?999)

Asus has come up with a very similar proposition to the X340 with another CULV machine using the same Intel chip. It's a 13.3-inch machine - this time LED backlit and with a full 4GB RAM compliment to keep it running. Still, no optical drive but it does have a very decent array of ports on offer and up to 500GB of HDD which probably accounts for the added weight. Lovely simple form factor going on with a brushed aluminium finish. The only downside is that it's quite expensive given the lack of power on the graphics side. Just an integrated Intel GMA 4500M to play with.

Toshiba Portege R500 S5007V (19.6mm, 1.08kg, ?950)

Not the world's snappiest name and perhaps not quite as stunning as some of these other models but for size and weight, it's up there with the Adamo and Air. That said, it is a smaller screen device and at a more comfortable 12.1-inches with an LED backlit screen. As a slightly older computer it comes with just 2GB of RAM and a 1.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo U7700 processor. However, the real bonus here is that you also get the benefit of optical drive that'll re-write DVDs and anything easier.

If that lot doesn't tickle your fancy, then you,re probably after a netbook. That or a desktop PC.

Related links:

• News - Sony Vaio X Series announced

Tags: Hardware Sony Vaio Laptops Laptops Dell Dell Adamo XPS Adamo MSI MSI X400 Apple MacBook Air Toshiba Toshiba Portege Asus Asus UX30 Features

Five ultra thin, ultra light and ultra portable notebooks originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:11:22 +0100

Sony has announced the launch of the new Vaio CW Series notebooks that will offer Microsoft's new Windows 7 operating system pre-loaded.

With a 14-inch widescreen display with a 16:9 aspect ratio in a thin-and-light chassis available in five colours (four in the UK - blue, red, pink and white), Sony is angling the new range as a "perfect mix of performance and style".

Specs include an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB hard drive, DVD drive, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and webcam.

An option available to those that want to pay more than the $780 base price includes a Blu-ray disc drive as the laptop also offers HDMI output and Nvidia GeForce graphics.

The CW Series will go on sale in the UK on 22 October.

Tags: Hardware Laptops Sony Vaio Windows 7 Blu-ray Sony Vaio CW

Sony Vaio CW Series due 22 October originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:06:03 +0100

In the States Sony has take the wraps off what it says is the world's lightest notebook - the Vaio X Series.

With a lightweight carbon-fibre chassis, the 11.1-inch X Series weighs in at 1.6 pounds - about 0.72kg - and is just over half an inch thick, although it loses both an optical drive and USB - both functionalities are taken care of with an external option.

The 16:9 display is LED backlit, the touchpad gets multi-touch capabilities, there's GPS and an SSD drive instead of hard disk.

Running Windows 7, power-wise, the standard battery is good for 3.5 hours, while the super-extended capacity battery claims 14.

In the US the X Series will come with 3G from Verizon Wireless, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Available in black and gold, pricing for the X Series starts at about $1300 with retail availability due in November. It will be available in the UK from November as well.

Related links:

• Feature - Five more ultra thin, ultra light and ultra portable notebooks

Tags: Hardware Sony Laptops Vaio Netbooks Windows 7

Sony Vaio X Series announced originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:48:20 +0100

Sony has unveiled what it calls a new "touch-enabled, multi-media machine" the Windows 7 Vaio L Touch HD PC/TV.

With a 24-inch WUXGA 1920 x 1080 widescreen panel, the unit displays Full HD with some models offering a Blu-ray disc drive.

Some models will also come with a built-in TV tuner while HDMI input is an optional extra to expand the HD entertainment capabilities.

Specs-wise, there's up to 1TB of storage, Intel Core 2 Quad processor, b/g/n Wi-Fi, Nvidia GeForce graphics, "loads" of RAM and a dedicated Vaio button to access Sony's Media Gallery software.

"The L Series is the ultimate multi-media hub - it's your PC, HDTV and DVR in one compact, stylish device", says a Sony bod.

Complete with a wireless keyboard, mouse and remote control, the VAIO L Touch HD PC/TV will start at about $1300 in the US.

Tags: Hardware Sony Desktop PCs Windows 7 Vaio

Sony Touch Vaio L Series PC/TV announced originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:27:09 +0100

Amazon has announced that in the States it will be offering digital access codes for more than 200 PlayStation Network games and related content for the PS3 and PSP.

This follows the similar news back in April that Amazon customers would be able to buy Xbox LIVE games, subscription cards and Microsoft Points cards.

"We are excited to expand our current library of video game platform downloads", said Paul Ryder, vice president of consumer electronics for Amazon.com. ?

"PlayStation Network games are an important addition and we plan to continue making it easier for customers to instantly enjoy new content as well as their favourite games from the comfort of their living rooms".
?
Digital access to PlayStation Network games works on a code-redemption system and is live over on Amazon.com now.

Tags: Gaming PS3 Sony Amazon Playstation Network

Amazon offers digital access codes for PlayStation Network content originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:07:45 +0100

Microsoft should expect it to be an Xbox 360 Christmas this year if search queries for the games console are anything to go by.

Although the launch of the PS3 Slim caused a massive spike of interest according to search analytics firm Hitwise, Microsoft's Xbox 360 console is consistently ranking highly in searches suggesting its popularity will be strong come the Christmas rush.

"For most of 2009 the Microsoft Xbox 360 has been the most searched for games console in the UK, while the popularity of the Nintendo consoles has waned significantly", says Robin Goad, Hitwise UKs research director.

Good news for Sony is that its PS3 has maintained second place throughout most of year while Nintendo has struggled following its massive success in 2008.

Without the Wii Fit to dominate Christmas wish lists, as it did last Holiday season, Xbox 360 games are the most popular options, after all-format titles, picking up 11.9% of searches according to the firm.?

Read

Tags: Gaming Xbox 360 Microsoft Sony Hitwise Nintendo Survey

Christmas 2009: The year the Xbox 360 should rule the roost originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:31:44 +0100

The Sony PSP has been out less than a week, but already retailers are slashing the prices of the PSP Go in the UK.

Amazon.co.uk, Play.com, HMV and GAME have cut 11% off the RRP taking the price of the console from its original ?225 down to ?199.

The move appears to be an attempt to lure gamers away from other handheld consoles like the Nintendo DS and Apple iPod touch and make it the console of choice in the Christmas stocking.?

However, the price drop still makes it more expensive than both the Nintendo DSi (priced at ?139.99) and the 8GB Apple iPod touch (priced at ?149.99).

Sony is hoping that the bigger screen compared to its rivals, and downloadable content will be the killer application to help it win the handheld console battle this Christmas, retailers it seems, aren't so sure.

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Tags: Gaming PSP Sony Amazon Play HMV GAME PSP Go

Sony PSP Go price cut originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:37:32 +0100

Last week's launch of the PSP Go was met with a fair bit of excitement, adding to that is the fact that certain retailers are reducing their prices already, one of which, Play.com, is selling the console for ?199.99 as opposed to its RRP of ?224.99.

The console weighs in at 160g and is just 66mm thick so lives up to its portable ambitions, however the controls and perhaps the screen, at 3.8 inches, might be a bit fiddly for some. There is no UMD drive, the Go having 16GB of internal memory instead, which can be increased to 32GB with the aid of a memory stick.

It has 802.11b Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and has video-out, in case you want to load videos up to your TV screen. Make sure you take a look at the full hands-on photo gallery (link below) before checking out the deal.

Related links:

• Photos - Sony PSP Go
• Shop - Play.com

Tags: Gaming Gaming hardware PSP Go Sony Play Daily Tech Deal

Daily Tech Deal: £25 off Sony PSP Go originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Launched back in August, the Vaio W series mini notebook has seen a drop in price from its RRP of ?499 down to ?339.99 at Play.com - although we previously had its entry price at around the ?400 mark.

Sony clearly has the female of the species in mind with this effort, when it states: "carefully designed isolation keyboard with precise key spacing prevents typing errors, even with long fingernails", so anyone used to a Mac or ZX spectrum should be fine.

There are no surprises with the specs, coming with Intel Atom N280 processor, 160GB hard drive and 1GB RAM. It also gets a 10.1-inch, 16:9 widescreen with a 1366 x 768 resolution display and there's also a webcam and mic, b/g/draft-n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

If you're in two minds then you could do a lot worse than clicking through on the link below to take a look at our hands-on photos, before following the one to the Play.com website.

Related links:

• Photos - Sony Vaio W
• Shop - Play.com

Tags: Hardware Laptops Sony Sony VAIO W11 Netbooks Daily Tech Deal Play

Daily Tech Deal: Sony VAIO W11 originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Sony is to offer a unique series of multi-player gaming events in the States that will see forthcoming PS3 game "Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" played on the big screen.

Powered by Sony Electronics 4K digital cinema technology, which provides image resolution four times greater than high-definition consumer televisions, it's angled as a way to promote cinemas as "digital entertainment destinations" rather than just movie theatres.

The "sneak peek" events will take place on 5 and 6 October at the Landmark Embarcadero, San Francisco, California, Muvico Theaters, Rosemont, Illinois, Muvico Theaters, Thousand Oaks, California and Lincoln Square Cinemas, Bellevue, Washington.

Tags: Gaming Cinema Sony Uncharted 2 Among Thieves PS3 Adventure games

Uncharted 2 to debut on the big screen originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:02:47 +0100

Since Sony waved goodbye to the UMD, those wishing to upgrade/splash out on the PSP Go are going to be getting awfully familiar with the PlayStation Store. Now we know that change can be a difficult thing to get used to, so, to help ease the move from one format to t'other, do have a read of this here Pocket-lint guide on how it all works.

Do I need to use the PlayStation Store?

How do I download onto my PSP Go?

What kind of content can I find on the store?

What about my UMDs?

Can anyone use the PS Store?

Related links:

• Feature - The first 13 PSP Minis on the Playstation Store
• News - Free game kick-start with the PSP Go
• News - Gran Turismo finally to get PSP release
• News - PSP Go arrives on shelves
• Feature - The history of the Sony PSP

Tags: Gaming PSP PSP Go Sony PlayStation Store PSP Minis

Quick guide to the PlayStation Store for PSPs originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:29:11 +0100

Last October, we posted a story with a quote from Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida who said that the company had a development team working on Gran Turismo on the PSP, but that it wasn't ready yet.

Nearly a year later, Sony has finally announced that the game is getting a release on the console. The PSP edition contains more than 800 vehicles from real-world car manufacturers, all with driving dynamics specific to each model. There's over 4500 paint variations, too.

You can race them around 35 tracks, and "70 variations on those tracks" (which just sounds like you can go round each one backwards) that include original courses, world circuits, city courses and other racing environments.

Various gameplay modes are available - driving challenge, single player, time trial and drift trial, and multiplayer is accomplished through the PSP's ad-hoc mode with a series of head-to-head races that handicap faster drivers with slower cars. You'll also be able to trade cars with other players.

Gran Turismo PSP comes on UMD but also as a downloadable product via the PSNetwork for owners of the all-new PSP Go - which doesn't take UMDs. It's out in the United States now, we'll keep you posted on European availability.

Related links:

• News - Gran Turismo PSP still in development
• News - Sony announces special Gran Turismo PSP bundle

Tags: Gaming PSP Racing games Sony Gran Turismo

Gran Turismo finally to get PSP release originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:28:51 +0100

We were beginning to think it was never going to happen but, just like that, the PSP Go has arrived and, with it, the much anticipated PSP Minis.

There are 13 to choose from as of today, expected to grow to 50 by the end of the year. Each is no larger than 100MB and all are under ?4. So far, this is how they line up:

Alien Havoc

Price

?3.99

Developer

CREAT Studios

Genre

Arcade

Price

?3.49

Developer

Hands On Mobile Inc

Genre

Puzzle

Price

?3.99

Developer

Hands-on Mobile Inc

Genre

Arcade

Price

?2.49

Developer

Beatshapers

Genre

Break out

Price

?3.99

Developer

Subatomic

Genre

Strategy/Arcade

Price

?3.49

Developer

Complete IT

Genre

Strategy/Arcade

Price

?3.49

Developer

Solus Games

Genre

Fighting

Price

?3.99

Developer

Gamesloft SA

Genre

Action Adventure

Price

?2.49

Developer

Honeyslug

Genre

Puzzle/god game

Price

?3.99

Developer

Cowboy Rodeo

Genre

Arcade

Price

?2.49

Developer

Farmind

Genre

Puzzle

Price

?3.99

Developer

EA

Genre

Puzzle

Price

?3.99

Developer

Impressionware SRL

Genre

Puzzle/Strategy

Related links:

• Feature - Top five PSP games to have in your collection
• News - Free game kick-start with the PSP Go

Tags: Gaming PSP Sony PSP Go Features Strategy games Puzzle games Championship Manager Tetris

The first 13 PSP Minis on the Playstation Store originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:03:59 +0100

Sony has announced that the PSP Go, long rumoured, and eventually confirmed, has now arrived on the shelves in Europe. It's considerably closer to the iPhone and DS in terms of functionality with the arrival of "minis" - smaller, cheaper games with a 100MB size limit.

The PSP Go is also considerably slimmer and lighter than its older brother. It weighs 160g compared to the original's 190g weight, and is 66mm thick, compared to 71mm on the original. The screen is smaller, though - 3.8-inches instead of 4.3-inches for the PSP-3000.

The PSP Go will cost ?225, and comes with 16GB of internal memory and the capability to expand that with Sony's proprietary Memory Stick Micro format. It has 802.11b Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and has video-out, in case you want to load videos up to your TV screen. It's available now.

Related links:

• News - Free game kick-start with the PSP Go
• Buy - Amazon

Tags: Gaming PSP Sony Gaming hardware PSP Go

PSP Go arrives on shelves originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:58:24 +0100

Top consumer electronics companies have revealed they are teaming up to effectively create a mobile, or mini, version of the HDMI port for portable devices and phones.

Nokia, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba have all announced they are working with Silicon Image to form the Mobile High-Definition Interface Working Group.

The group will go on to create an industry standard for an audio/video interface to connect mobile phones or other portable devices directly to high-definition televisions and displays.

The new standard will be based on Silicon Image's "Mobile High-Definition Link" tech and will be offered as an industry standard open to all companies. The aim is for the standard to be easy and cost effective for manufacturers and simple and reliable for consumers.

Silicon Image says "a single-cable with a low pin count interface will be able to support up to 1080p high-definition digital video and HD audio in addition to delivering power to a portable device".

You can be sure it will be a while before anything is finalised, but we will keep you posted.

Tags: Phones Audio Mobile High-Definition Interface Working Group Nokia Samsung Sony Toshiba Silicon Image Cables Biz HDMI

Nokia, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba team up on mobile HDMI originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:27:56 +0100

It's easy forget that the PSP Go is actually the fourth PlayStation Portable handheld from Sony but it was over six years ago that the original model was announced. Hold the two side by side and it's easy enough to see the differences but the transformation didn't happen over night. So, here's how it all went down in the history of the Sony PSP from that heady summer's day in June to where we are today.

June 2003 A Sony PlayStation handheld is announced and described CEO Ken Kutaragi as the "Walkman of the 21st Century". There are no images, mock ups or models but the technical specifications are discussed.

November 2003 The first concept drawings of the device are discussed at a Sony meeting which include flat buttons and no analogue stick.

May 2004 The PlayStation Portable is unveiled at a press conference just before E3 and is the first handheld device to use optical disks - the UMD.

June 2004 The PSP is on show at E3 along with the games Metal Gear Acid and Wipeout Pure.



October 2004 The PSP is officially launched with the worldwide release dates.

December 2004 PSP launches in Japan on 17th October for ?19,800 for the basic model and ?24,800 for the value version. It sells 200,000 units on the first day.

March 2005 PSP launches in North America for $249, approximately $20 more than the Japanese price and $100 more than its recently launched competitor - the Nintendo DS. 500,000 PSPs are sold in the first two days but there are later suspicions that the first weeks do not reap quite the figures that Sony had hoped for.

June 2005 Hackers release the PSP code and distribute it online. As a result the ISO loader is created crammed full of pirated games and is thought to be responsible for the rise in sales of the PSP but the drop in retail of the games.

September 2005 PSP launched in the UK for ?179 - at the time over $100 more than the US price. Sony say this is because of high VAT pushing it up in the UK and the need to compensate for local sales taxes in the US. All 185,000 units sell out in the first three hours doubling the DS's record on launch.

March 2007 The PSP totals 25.39 million units shipped worldwide.



June 2007 The next generation of Sony's gaming handheld is announced as the 33% lighter, 19% thinner PSP-2000 and is the first of the Slim and Light series. It supports USB charging, has a composite TV-out and twice the RAM taking the memory up to a healthy 64MB. The screen is brighter and the UMD speedier to load.

September 2007 PSP-2000 goes on sale worldwide

August 2008 An update of the PSP-2000 is shown off at a press conference in Leipzig. The PSP-3000 is ostensibly identical to its predecessor but features an improved LCD screen with a better contrast, colour gamut, a faster response time and an anti-reflective coating.

October 2008 The PSP-3000 goes on sale worldwide



January 2009 Built-in Skype service is added though a firmware update as Sony announces that 50 million PSPs have been sold to retailers worldwide

May 2009 After much internet speculation, the PSP Go is revealed in June's issue of Qore online

June 2009 PSP Go officially launched at E3 with Bluetooth, a smaller 3.8-inch screen and at 43% lighter than the original PSP. The UMB has vanished and instead is replaced by 16GB of internal flash memory for digital downloads plus a Memory Stick Mirco port. The release dates are revealed as the 1st October for North America and Europe, and 1st November for Japan.

August 2009 56 million PSP units reported sold worldwide

September 2009 PSP service called the PlayStation Room is announced where users will be able to host real time communications inviting people in to their "rooms" much like the PlayStation Home service on the PS3. A closed beta test is to take place in Japan only between 24th September - 5th October.

October 2009 We await reviews and sales figures for the PSP Go.

Related links:

• Feature - Top five PSP games to have in your collection
• News - Free game kick-start with the PSP Go

Tags: Gaming PSP Sony PSP Go Features PSP-2000 PSP-3000

The history of the Sony PSP originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:00:00 +0100

With the PSP Go inches from the shelves and few first-timers about to get stuck in, we thought it be best to give you five ways to spend your spondoolics with maximum satisfaction. There's more games on the PlayStation store than you can shake a tree of sticks at so, if you're looking to start your collection or just checking that yours is complete, then make sure you've got the following:

5) Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

Developer

Infinite Interacive

Genre

Puzzle/RPG

Price

?15.99

Developer

SCE Studio Liverpool

Genre

Racing

Price

?14.99

Developer

SCE Japan Studio

Genre

Strategy/Rhythm

Price

?19.99

Developer

Square Enix

Genre

RPG

Price

Released imminent

Developer

Capcom

Genre

MMORPG

Price

?24.99

Related links:

• News - Free game kick-start with the PSP Go

Tags: Gaming PSP Sony PSP Go Features Monster Hunter Freedom Unite Puzzle Quest Challenge of the Warlords Wipeout Pure Patapon 2 Dissidia Final Fantasy Racing games RPG Strategy games Puzzle games

Top five PSP games to have in your collection originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:55:01 +0100